Okinawa - Months of the Year Memories in Photos

 Who Needs a Calendar?

Today, I randomly selected photos from each month of the year for publishing.

Next, I fooled around with different calendar-making tools found on the internet.

And, that's what convinced me, I DON'T WANNA MAKE ANY DAMN CALENDARS!

Someone else might enjoy making calendars from my photos so, here ya go.

JAN: Sea Glass Beach in Nago

FEB: Trail in Mountains of Ogimi

MAR: Grey Heron in Kin Town

APR: Nanataki Falls in Ogimi

MAY: They Flew Together in Kin Town

JUN: Teru Teru Bozu: Seen anywhere in Japan

JUL: Ie Island from Motobu

AUG: Cinnamon Bittern in Kin Town

SEP: Eastern Spot-billed Duck in Kin Town

OCT: Beach at the Mouth of Ie River in Sosu

NOV: Grey-faced Buzzard in Kin Town

DEC: Heart Rock on Kouri Island

Words for Calendar Makers

Those who may be ambitious enough to create calendars may download these photos.

The images are copyrighted and saved at internet resolution but, may be printed.

For your personal use only. Do not try to profit from someone else's photography.

Print and hang your calendar or, give them away for free to friends and relatives.

Curious About Locations?

Links below each photo should give an idea of where these photos were taken.

They'll give an idea of locations on Google Maps.

Have a safe and healthy Holiday Season. Hopefully, next year will be more enjoyable!

This Ain't the Moon!

 Update on Volcano Eruptions

Uncooperative weather has canceled my full moon photography for October.

Mount Aso, in Kyushu, Japan blew its top and sent us these floating rocks.

Another one (underseas) at the Ogasawara Islands (near Iwo Jima) sent plenty more!

Many of our beaches are covered with pumice stones.

The ocean tides delivered volcanic pumice stones to beaches throughout the Okinawa islands.

Have you ever used a pumice stone to grind down callouses on your feet?

Well, I had to kick off the flip-flops and walk on the stuff, to see what it feels like.

This isn't some thirst trap; it's to give you a sense of scale. Ladies, GET BACK!

Here's what a size 12 left foot looks like in pumice stones on the beach.

The lightweight stones didn't fall out of the sky, where they might hit us on the heads.

They were delivered here by the sea.  Kyushu is over an hour's flight time from here.

What appears to be black sand in the lower part of this photo, is volcanic pumice.

We discovered this treasure at Uza Beach on the northern tip of Okinawa island.

A bag was filled with stones, to show the wife the floating rocks TV news was broadcasting.

Gardening with Pumice

Back at home, I did some research and learned about other uses for pumice stones.

We just might have to return to that beach and fill buckets with pumice stones.

Until last night, I never heard about using pumice stones in planters and gardens.

They call them soil amendments and, you can even throw the stuff into compost piles!

Decisions, decisions, buy garden pumice online or, go to the beach and get some FREE?

Don't Panic

Friends, relatives, people around the globe don't worry about us in Okinawa, Japan.

The volcanic eruption at Mount Aso is no big deal. We're all fine.

If you need some stuff to worry about, I'll show you volcanoes going off around the world.

The map shows volcanoes blowing their tops in RED!

Screenshot courtesy of  Volcano Discovery.  Visit them HERE.

Wordless Wednesday: Homeless Hat

Wordless Wednesday: Affordable Beachfront Property

Summer 2018 - Final Full Moon

This Hot Summer Will End Soon

All my furry friends should stop complaining about the hottest summer on record.

Next month, it could get even warmer for all we know.

For sure, about the third week, it won't be summer anymore.

In the wee hours of the morning, I went out to check on the moon.

Surprisingly no rain came pouring down so, I decided to attempt moonset photography.

Here's what I saw at 4:46 AM.

As long as the weather kept cooperating I would keep walking and shooting.

The plan was to get closer to the ocean for moonset and catch the light over water.

It's 5:01 AM and the ocean isn't visible yet. I walk slowly in the dark.

At 5:20 AM  the sea is visible below me but, I wait for the moon to get lower.

The first three images were taken at a focal length of 700 MM.

Get Ready Furry Ones

We're standing on level ground, several meters above sea level, using a tripod.

Below lies Red Beach Pier with Ishikawa (Uruma) in the background.

Here's my final full moon photo for the summer of 2018.

It's 5:36 n the morning and I've been awake for 3 hours. Go home and get breakfast.

My furry friends should quit complaining or, do like I did once. Shave!

Wordless Wednesday: Serenity

Life Doesn't Have to Be a Beach

An Image to Chase Monday Morning Blues

This photo was taken while riding the ferry between Aka and Zamami Islands.

It was kind of surprising to see people out on this remote beach, far from any civilization.

There are no convenience stores, soda machines, ice cream stands or, power lines.

It's highly unlikely, they walked there. Probably, they were transported by boat.

As long as, they have made arrangements to return to a larger island, they should be fine.

A tent for shade, coolers with ice for food and drinks and, some beachwear is, all you need.

No wi-fi, electrical gadgets or, loud city noises, to disturb the sun seekers. Wow.

Got sunscreen, check. Salsa and chips, check. Beer and wine, check.

Honey, where's the toilet paper ?  Oh, crap, I thought you were supposed to pack that stuff !

Can ya put it on hold 'til 6PM ?

Animation from Hippie (ヒーピィービーチ) Beach

This GIF was created May 5 2017 using the iPhone 7 Plus camera.

Every year, during Golden Week, we have our family beach party at this location.

Knowing, thunderstorms were in the forecast, I didn't bring any fancy cameras.

Most of my equipment is water resistant. So, rain really wouldn't have been a problem.

The alcoholic beverages, I knew I'd be consuming, would be cause for ditching cameras.

Thunder was crackling, in the skies, around early in the day but, only a few raindrops fell.

Grandkids, enjoyed beach activities and played in the sand, until sunset.

Behind me, charcoal fires were being tended to by, the younger generation and friends.

Sons, daughters and in-laws, took care of all the cooking and, treated me like a king.

It seemed like, every time I stood up, they thought it meant, I was out of beer.

More than a few pounds of steaks, chicken and grilled vegetables were consumed by me.

And, I believe, I put a good sized dent in a case of beer.

When the sun went down, out came the fireworks and the beach smelled like gunpowder.

Shortly after the smoke drifted away, I thanked everyone for the grand time.

And did the Grandpa thing.  Sneaked a ride back to town and, went to bed.

NOTE:  Google Translate calls ヒーピィービーチ, Heepy Beach.

But, I like the sound of Hippie better so, that's what I call it.

Here's How to Find It

Photo of the Day: Seaside Rituals

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 15-30 at 28MM

Exposure:  f/3.5   1/4000   ISO 400

Location:  Yaka Beach, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  May 10 2017  9:58AM


Here's more of what took place at Yaka, Kin Town today:







RELATED POST: 

 

Abushibare (畦払) Snails Got Sent Out to Sea Today

Sometimes People Get in the Way

Rituals on a Seashore

A priestess, at an annual event called Abushibare (畦払) is centered in this photo.

The challenge, for me: Get an image of her, isolated from the crowd.

It's sort of a religious ceremony so, I couldn't do what I did last night in a crowded bar.

Yell, "Get out of my way everybody. I gotta pee."

Besides, I know some of those folks with cameras and they're trying to get good photos, too.

From my position I couldn't zoom-in for a good shot so, I went wide angle, to shoot everyone.

Moving around a bit, I managed to catch the priestess and her assistant, from an angle.

But, this wasn't exactly the type of composition, I was aiming for.

Off to her other side, I was able to capture some good elements of the rituals.

She was talking to the spirits, making offerings and, the wooden sailboat was in the scene.

The plastic cup in the boat, contains some varmint snails, that will be sent out to sea.

Those rascal cameramen, just wouldn't get out of my picture but, I kept quiet.

When I did my photo editing some sand and vegetation, made them disappear.

With a bit more touching-up, I'll have a nice printed photo, to give the subject, this year.

Should she ask, how I managed to get the other photographers out of the image, I'll tell her.

"It was easy. I shoveled sand over them until, they all got covered up."

Once that sailboat is launched at sea, the rituals are completed and everyone goes home.

Before departing, I went and spoke to the priestess, which kind of surprised her.

She was friendly, smiled and tried to give me some of the offerings. I politely declined.

Last year, I decided to walk back to my office and, it was quite a hike.

This year if, she tries to give me some of the sake, I may accept. Somebody can drive me home !

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Cultural Event: Abushibare (畦払) Getting Fields Rid of Vermin

Ever Wonder How Many Fish Are in the Ocean?

Tons Are Caught Every Day

No interesting birds got in the range of my lens today but, it was a blast, anyhow.

Out on the west coast of the island, the weather was beautiful.

There was 420MM of glass on the end of the camera so, I picked on this fishing boat.

Without a tripod, I figured, it would be best to sit on a rock, down at sea level.

To create a GIF, it's best to make sure the camera remains steady.

That was accomplished, by propping my elbows on top of my bony knees.

Then, I blasted away and shot a series of about 100 images, just for the fun of it.

At 8.6 frames per second, it doesn't take long to get enough photos to create an animation.

After I had my fill of photos, fresh sea breeze air and, scorching sunshine, I got thinking.

"Damn, it's hot down here."  So, I hurried off the beach looking for some shade.

There Should Be a Guinness World Record

If, they had one for the Worst Fisherman on Earth, I could probably win.

Fresh fish, I love especially, when they just came out of the ocean.

Throw them on a grill, the same day they were snagged and, they are delicious.

People who eat fish that was frozen for a few months, have no clue. That stuff stinks.

The folks, who work catching fish, are real heroes to me. I can't catch the darn things.

Not even with a net, when the critters are in an aquarium.

It's easier, to dump all the water out and, stomp on the little things, 'til they stop wiggling.

That's what kind of fisherman, I am.

Nobody Could Count All the Fish in the Sea

 

 

Maybe, they can do some estimates but, fish don't hold still very long.

In my never ending searches for the truth, I came up with a tidbit for y'all.

An average of twenty tons of fish, comes into a market, every day, down in Naha.

When, they have a lucky, day sometimes fifty tons, come into the same port.

That's a bunch of fish in my hillbilly opinion.  Check it out !

2016 Abushibare (畦払い) A Favorite Photo

Everyone Praying

 

 

This photo was taken at 10:16AM on the beach at Yaka, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan.

It's a favorite, out of 150 images taken today because, I was fortunate enough, to get that close. 

There were plenty of other photographers and note takers at this cultural event.

Sometimes, the crowd of reporters and photographers, outnumbers the worshipers at an event.

That was probably, true today but, everyone acted professionally and, I'm glad they did.

Each of us, took turns, allowing others, to get in close, to do their work.

It's been a long day and, I'm still waiting, to find out if the full moon will appear tonight. 

Many other images, will have to be processed, at a later date.

Some more candid shots (unprocessed) may be seen, in a Facebook album. 

Learn more about Abushibare:

 Abushibare (畦払い) Snails Got Sent Out to Sea Today

An Attractive Looking Island Restaurant

Looks Like a Fixer Upper

 

 

On my second day of the Lunar Calendar, I visited Kouri-jima.

This restaurant had caught my eye, several times but, I had never entered the place before.

Most people would figure, a fine establishment like this, might be a tourist trap.

Heck, it's right off the beach, as you enter the island by bridge.

It was so cold, this morning, I had worn socks with my flip-flops, leaving home.

But, by the time, we got to Kouri-jima, the socks were tucked away, in my back pocket.

It turned out, to be a beautiful, sunny day and, my toes needed some tanning.

Nowhere, on any island, have I ever seen lasagna and rice on a menu in this lifetime.

It was ordered, delivered and partially eaten, when I realized, I forgot to take a ;photo.

Anyway, now you can see the texture, a little better.  It was yummy and, hot.

Lasagna-wise, it was sorta "meh" but, it helped kill my appetite so, I guess that was good.

The price was around twelve bucks or so.  That seemed a bit on the costly side.

What the heck, lunacy is alright, when you're celebrating the Lunar New Year, I guess.

Up on the Second Floor

 

That's where you're seated for dining, on the veranda, overlooking the beach.

If you have to go pee, that's downstairs and, I checked it out.

Long, sloping stairs, embedded with seashells, lead the way up and down.

In the restrooms, they even have showers, in case you came from the beach, all sandy.

Not needing a shower, I didn't check, to see if it was free or, you have to pay.

The stuff I did, didn't cost a dime and, I was back in my seat, before the meal showed up.

Usually, I'm not crazy about pricey foods but, I'll probably go back here again, sometime.

The food, doesn't have to be all that great.  Atmosphere, is what you're really paying for.

Plus, I forgot to count the steps.  That's important, for lots of people, to know.

Some people, have step-o-phobia and, want to know things like that.

Now, I could, take all the grandchildren over there and let them, count the stairs.

But, if I bought them, each an ice cream cone, for counting steps, it'd cost me a fortune.

They'd all come back with different counts and, be arguing, while I lose 20 bucks.

So, I should go climb the stairs and, count them myself, for accuracy, I guess.


The place is called, Cafe and Restaurant Yoshika

And, you can visit them on Facebook

Travel Scene: Could it Snow in Paradise ?

Maybe If Hell Freezes Over !

 

 

Usually, I like to post images of sunshine filled locations on this island.

But, lately the wicked weathermen have been predicting cold and even, snow.

What's up with all the global warming, everybody screams about ?

It felt like it was freezing as I walked towards the office this morning.

Bundled up in a parka, I started wishing I had some gloves to wear; it was cold and windy.

Luckily, a daughter came along and drove me halfway in her heated van.

Looking at the dashboard, she pointed out the outside temperature to me.

It was 9 degrees Celsius.  That's cold, when you have a strong ocean breeze.

At the office, I had to search for a conversion chart, online, to see how cold it really was.

Over at Conversion Metric Org they tell me:

 9 °C = 48.2 °F

Here I am freezing, wearing an Alaskan parka and, socks with my flip-flops.

Weather dudes are saying the temperature tonight will drop down to 6 °C.

6 °C, and that's a blazing 42.8 °F  !

So, I figure there's not much sense investing money in snow shovels, around here.

The photo above was taken from the second floor restaurant Kaminuhama.

It is located on Okinawa's west coast in Onna-son.

Checkout the Nabee Beach Website for more. 

Can't read Japanese ?  Press the American flag on the right and, get English.

 

Just a Tree Near the Sea -- Image

Somebody Up There Heard Me Complain

Finally, we got a bit of that warm December weather, warm-mongers, always worry about.

And, I enjoyed every bit of it, running around in flip-flops, with no socks !

Camera: Pentax K5

Lens: Sigma 10-20 at 20MM

Exposure: f/11   1/80   ISO 100

Location: Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: DEC 12 2015  3:14PM

Sesoko Beach Images Taken at 420mm -- Animated GIFs

Waiting for Birds of Prey

 

 

These are some scenes created while standing on Sesoko Island, near the bridge.

With a big lens, that won't zoom or, retract some imagination had to be used.

The Pentax K3 and 300mm lens + a 1.4 rear converter, gave a focal length of 420mm.

 It was warm but, a bit windy so some action of the waves, splashing was photographed.

 Young girls jumping for camera selfies, entertained me, for awhile.

It's important, to know the light conditions in the sea and sky, when I'm out shooting.

If a fish hawk came along and dove out of the sky, into the water, I would have to be ready.

 This gal wasn't as active as the others but, was posed in great light.

And the wind action, made it an interesting scene.

 Most beaches have these jetskies, pulling what's called a banana boat.

In the past, they were always colored yellow.

 Nowadays, I guess, they have to give the green bananas equal opportunity !

The banana boat ride, returned without the passengers.

My guess: They used it as a taxi to go to some rock outcropping and, would return later.

 It was unbelievably warm for the month of October so, I moved into the shade by the bridge.

Looking back towards Motobu, a boat named Gusuku, came into the harbor.

This scene shows was photographed, just before it passed under the Sesoko Island bridge.

Even though, no fish hawks made an apperance, I had my fill of fun in the sun.

And, a local fisherman, told me we wouldn't have to worry about any typhoon.

So, I was assured that more great weather would be coming for the weekend.

Now, you have an idea what some of the activities are available at this beach.

And, you can see how I keep myself occupied, while waiting for birds.

A man has to do something, to keep his eyes away from all the gals in bikinis !

Relaxing Walk on a Secluded Beach Looking for Driftwood

3 Motion GIFs Composed Here

 

 

The mission was to hunt for some driftwood needed for an Okinawan Folktale.

It took me about two hours before, I realized, there was nobody out there but me.

With a typhoon passing recently, there was plenty of debris washed ashore.

I guess, any piece of wood, could qualify as driftwood.

Several samples were photographed but, it may take awhile longer to select the right image.

 As long as, I was carrying a tripod, I figured a few animations could be composed.

 There is something about the action of waves on the beach that's relaxing.

There was hardly any breeze and the only sound was water hitting the shoreline.

 After walking for three hours, I rounded the bend in the far left of this photo.

A young couple had discovered a road, leading to my secluded beach.

But, when they saw me coming with the camera, they drove off.  Hah !

The next time, I visit one of the stores in the big city, I might buy a hammock.

If, one were to be stashed in those woods, I could spend a whole day at this beach !

Travel Photo: The Wedded Rocks of Onna Son

Bound Together with a Sacred Rope

 

 

This photo was taken from the shore at Manza Beach Resort late in the morning.

More than likely, the scene is a spin-off of the Meoto Iwa (夫婦岩) in Mie, Japan.

The rice straw rope, called a shimenawa, comes from Shinto beliefs.

Sacred ropes, such as this, are seen tied to the gates (torii) of many shrines.

Online research for these rocks in Okinawa, didn't provide much information.

But, I'm sure some wedding photographers, take their clients to this spot for sessions.

Up in mainland Japan, you can find all sorts of information about the Married Rocks.

Take a peek at them in Ise Shima National Park and get a dose of Religious Mythology.

Ella Morton writes about the rocks united in marriage at Atlas Obscura.

And, Joanne G.Yoshida, has been there at least three times.

She has even, seen Mt. Fuji appear between those rocks !

Over at Photo Guide Japan, see an excellent essay on the replacement of the ropes.

Due to wear and tear of wind and waves, the ropes are replaced 3 times each year.

It looks like quite a ceremony.

Maybe, we should talk to the folks at Manza Beach Resort and, do the same here.

It would be a great excuse, to throw a festival for the occasion !